End of Summer...Start of School

One of our final summer activities was a hike to Jump Creek Canyon.  The girls love climbing mountains and now there are a few mountains around to climb.  

 It was a huge waterfall into a pool that you can swim in.  We saw lizards and poison ivy along our walk.  Luckily none of us were itchy after this trip and the girls are too slow to catch any kind of lizard.

 The sweet Lily and me.  She was a trooper but definitely wanted to be on the ground eating dirt and leaves.

 Bryan and Audrey.

 Of course most of their time was spent climbing up steep cliffs.  Luckily (depending on how you look at it) Bryan was there to help them out.  He mentioned that they may not be natural climbers.  I reminded him that they are only 4 and 6 and that they have me as a mother.  I go up good but I come down like an old lady.

 Getting ready to eat some rocks and sticks.  I am loving how her hair is growing in.  It's going to be curly.  Makes it so much easier to fix...and I have  few heads of hair to fix.

 Julia started school on Monday.  I love how she laid her clothes out the night before.  Audrey was giving the thumbs up but didn't really understand what it meant to have Julia gone ALL day.

 Here she is getting ready for bed.  Going to school here is an adjustment because it starts significantly earlier than our school in Ohio.  She has to be on the bus at 7:21AM for a 7:55AM start time.  Anyone who knows me knows I am not a morning person.  We have all had tired headaches this week but are adjusting.  To be honest I think Audrey has had the hardest time.  She is getting up with Julia and therefore is exhausted by bed time.  I think we'll get in a rhythm though and it really hasn't been as bad as I thought.  When I just have to get one child out the door it is actually really quick.  Sidenote:  Do you like the green stripes?  We painted them this past weekend.  It nearly ended our marriage (painting stripes is a pain!) but we are really excited with the results.

 All ready for school.  I am going to be honest.  I think 1st grade was harder for me than kindergarten.  I just can't stand that she is going to be away from me longer than she is with me.  I had anxiety the entire week up to this.  I didn't want to make her worry, but gosh dangit I just want her to stay home!  I had to stop myself from saying, "Julia, I just want you to stay home with me."  Audrey is completely lost without her and asks about twenty times a day when she is coming home.  That being said, I know this is such a great learning experience for her and I know she is going to make so many new friends.

Bryan drove her to school and even he was having a hard time.  Maybe it's moving to a new place but we are struggling with this all day school stuff.  He said it just killed him to leave her there.  But they have a big new playground and Julia ran off to play without looking back.  We sure do love her and are so proud of what a bright and sweet girl she is.  Her teacher is lucky to have her.

 
 She was pretty excited about having her own desk.  In kindergarten she had tables.  Her teacher is a first year teacher.  I remember that first year I taught like it was yesterday.  She seems so nice and I think it will be a good fit.

 Though Audrey has struggled not having her best friend home all day to play with I have enjoyed my one on one time with her.  We have had lots of good conversations this week and being the middle child I know she gets lost in the shuffle.  She is a great shopping buddy.

Audrey starts preschool next week and we went to her open house to meet her teachers.  We had to dress her up too and take pictures.  She had to do some dance moves because it makes the picture more awesome.

 I am so thrilled with her preschool and the teachers there.  It is so well organized and the teachers are so loving.  It is going to be a perfect fit for my sweet girl.  Audrey can be quiet and hesitant in new situations and I love the environment this preschool gives her.  I am so excited for her.  Even better, she has a friend from church in her class.

 Playing in the kitchen.  They even have a pet turtle in her class.  You should have seen her when Julia came home from school that day.  Audrey was bursting at the seems to tell her all about it.

 Bryan was on call the night before so he had a half day off of work.  We took Audrey out to lunch to celebrate starting preschool.  It was delicious too!  I am always excited when we find yummy places to eat at our new home.

 Lily got to come too.  She isn't going to know what to do when the girls are BOTH at school.  It will be quiet that's for sure.

 Lily is a full on crawler these days.  The zombie body drag is yesterday's news.  But with mobility comes owies.  She got a goose egg on her head this morning poor baby.

 Julia started soccer yesterday.  I thought she looked so cute in her little outfit.  I think she'll really enjoy it.  It was fun to watch her kick the ball, but it stresses me out!  I don't know why!  I was watching her and just saying a silent prayer that she'll do well, enjoy herself and won't be embarrassed or frustrated.  I need to chill, I know.  Seriously let the girl have fun.  Poor Julia being the first child.  Please be patient with your psycho mother.

Audrey starts dance in a couple of weeks and Julia starts piano next week.  We are going to be busy around here!